Gop Picks Gessert For Senate Run

NORTH HAVEN — Republicans from Cheshire, Wallingford and North Haven unanimously endorsed David A. Gessert Tuesday as their candidate for the 34th Senate District seat.

Gessert, a 51-year-old Wallingford resident, will try to retain the seat being given up by longtime legislator Philip Robertson, a Republican, who is retiring.

Gessert, president of a communications-training company, served on the Wallingford Town Council from 1973-87, including four years as council chairman-deputy mayor.

From 1988 to 1991, he was Wallingford Republican town chairman, and currently is vice chairman of the town's public utilities commission.

Gessert also has been active on the civic front, logging service to the Red Cross, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the United Fund and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Gessert vowed to cut taxes and spending, and be tough on criminals.

``When we send them to a jail, it shouldn't be Club Med,'' Gessert said, promising to press for tougher sentences for offenders.

Gessert, whose great-grandfather served in the state legislature from 1885-86, said he would work to help small companies grow to create jobs. He also said he would work to provide affordable housing for senior citizens.

He chided the legislature for its willingness to build a costly football stadium to lure to New England Patriots to Connecticut.

Robertson praised Gessert's intelligence and integrity.

Democrats are scheduled to choose their candidate Thursday night in Wallingford. Wallingford resident Brian McDermott has announced his intention to seek the seat; he lost to Robertson in a close race in 1992. The Democrats will caucus at 7:30 p.m. at My Cousin's Place restaurant on North Main Street Extension.